The video embedded below is taken from the BBC. Victor Mukasa shares his story of being a lesbian woman, now trans-man, and the fight for LGBT rights in Uganda.
I spoke with Melanie Graham, an LGBT equality advocate and country conditions expert on homophobia in Africa. She shared with me some notes from a country conditions report that she filed that identified some of the abuses that the LGBT community faces in East Africa:
“a) Intrusive non-consensual and inhumane anal exams;
b) Inhumane medical exams without consent and counselling;
c) In cell abuse by other detainees;
d) Media parading in the face of increasing societal risk;
e) Use of criminal charges for extortion and blackmail;
f) Arbitrary arrests with prolonged detention;
g) Institutionalised homophobia in the criminal justice system with unfair trials”
However, this list is not exclusive to the hardships faced by the LGBT community. Being out as gay can limit access to employment, health care and using government services.
Below is a timeline of recent attacks faced by the LGBT community. They include wrongful arrests encouraged by state officials, violence and violations to basic human rights.
Uganda has the 10th highest infection rate of HIV at 6.2%. Among women, the statistic stands at 7.6%. Access to medical care as a member of LGBT is difficult and there is the added stigma of testing positive for the disease and being homosexual in a country where being gay is criminalised.
Sources for attacks:
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